Tim Maw
In September 2024, a British/Nepali team attempted to summit Putha Hiunchuli in the Dhaulagiri range of the Himalayas and break the world record for the highest altitude bike ride. Neil Laughton led the expedition with Nima Kancha Sherpa as climbing sirdar, a partnership that set the Guinness World Record for the Highest Altitude Black Tie Dinner Party at 7056m on Mt Everest in 2018.
It was Tim's fourth major expedition with Neil. Paul Clarke, Craig Wiltshire, Giles Freemann and Meriel Davis completed the team, each with a climbing sherpa.
The expedition raised funds for the Tenzing Norgay School in the remote village of Kakgot, the last settlement on the arduous five day trek to base camp. At over 3000m, it is one of the highest altitude schools in the world with very basic classrooms and facilities. The funds are now being used to install internet, a computer network and boarding rooms for children who live too far from the school.
Two days trek beyond Kakgot, Putha Hiunchuli Base Camp was established at 4907m. From here, acclimatisation rotations to Camp 1 and 2 carrying mountain bikes through the glacial valley, took place over the next week. Tim and Neil played chess at Camp 2 and set a new World Record for the 'Highest Altitude Board Game' at 6216m (Guinness approval pending). Weather conditions were challenging for the summit bid with half the team turning back after Camp 2 and Tim and Paul forced to turn back at about 6500m, personal bests for high altitude climbing without supplementary oxygen.
Neil, Nima and Da Rinzi sherpa summited at 3pm, rode their bikes through deep snow and set a new Guinness World Record for the Highest Altitude Bike Ride at 7246m. An extraordinary achievement without oxygen and in their own words 'harder than Everest with supplementary oxygen'.
